And so tonight the choir sang brilliantly at Southwark Cathedral. Tomorrow many of the choir will get on the plane and return to Toronto. I hope that on Sunday they will start to sharing the amazing stories of this journey.
For Tina and I and some of the others we will stay on and start a vacation.
This has been an amazing time of celebration, worship and a time to walk with God.
I wish everyone a safe journey home.
From London, one last time.
Don
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Ode to 2 fine musicians
I would like to spend a few minutes talking about 2 young people that have been part of our tour over the past 13 days. They are James and Hannah.
Hannah is of course Jame's Girlfriend. Hannah has been Head Chorister at Norwich Cathedral and boasts a Gold Level Award from the RCSM Voice for Life Program. Here powerful voices has been a tremendous boost to the 2nd Soprano section and I know that they have been appreciative of her time and talent as I have I.
James Mooney-Dutton. Probably one of the most talented young organists of our time. James has practiced hours in order to make this choir sound as good as they have. I know that the last 30 days Hannah has noted James MIA on most days has he practiced.
Part of my agreement with James to be tour organist was the he must be able to play the Finale to Vierne's First Organ Symphony. This is a piece of music that I have never been successful in learning. To his credit this amazing work was prepared perfectly and will appear as part of our CD.
I took the opportunity to play for the choir on Saturday in Lincoln and immediately put James back on the bench. (Know your own strengths). Windsor Castle was no different. James had 20 minutes to sort out the organ before the choir came into the Chapel and the performance was again perfect.
I know that one day James will be DOM at one of these many fine Cathedral's in the UK and we can say "he was OUR tour organist."
On behalf of the choir James and Hannah. Thank you. You time talent and youth enthusiasm will remain with this choir a lifetime.
Hannah is of course Jame's Girlfriend. Hannah has been Head Chorister at Norwich Cathedral and boasts a Gold Level Award from the RCSM Voice for Life Program. Here powerful voices has been a tremendous boost to the 2nd Soprano section and I know that they have been appreciative of her time and talent as I have I.
James Mooney-Dutton. Probably one of the most talented young organists of our time. James has practiced hours in order to make this choir sound as good as they have. I know that the last 30 days Hannah has noted James MIA on most days has he practiced.
Part of my agreement with James to be tour organist was the he must be able to play the Finale to Vierne's First Organ Symphony. This is a piece of music that I have never been successful in learning. To his credit this amazing work was prepared perfectly and will appear as part of our CD.
I took the opportunity to play for the choir on Saturday in Lincoln and immediately put James back on the bench. (Know your own strengths). Windsor Castle was no different. James had 20 minutes to sort out the organ before the choir came into the Chapel and the performance was again perfect.
I know that one day James will be DOM at one of these many fine Cathedral's in the UK and we can say "he was OUR tour organist."
On behalf of the choir James and Hannah. Thank you. You time talent and youth enthusiasm will remain with this choir a lifetime.
Last Day of the Tour - Hard to believe it's coming to an end
It's been a long Christmas Day....12 days so far...(Ah! The 12 Days of Christmas)
Yesterday was a typical cloudy and dizzling day in London with a good stiff breeze. Not deterred everyone got out to see the sites. Tina and I walked from the Hotel to Westminster through Piccadilly across the bridge to Waterloo where we had lunch and then along the Thames past the Royal Festival Hall and the London Eye up to Blackfriars Bridge, to St. Pauls Cathedral and then over to Leister Square where we met Tina's parents for dinner.
Along the way we met several of the choir having a good time. This morning Tina and I are off to the Tower of London and then Tina will carry on with her parents as I come back to the hotel to meet the choir for a 2:30 pm departure to Southwark. We will practice for the last time here in London before adding our music to worship at this wonderful Cathedral.
It's hard to believe that this tour is coming to an end. There has been a lot of tension, a lot of HARD WORK, and one or 2 tears along the way. In a conversation I had with one of the choir members, this person wasn't sure that they could keep up to the challenge and my demands of performance. I reminded this chorister that the reason I am so demanding and have been on this tour is because this choir is capable of performing at a Very High Level and when they don't I get frustrated. It is not about being part of the problem it is about being part of the solution.
The choir of St. Peters Erindale has done themselves exceedlingly proud while abroad. Not only musicially but physically as well. Miles of walking, schedules to keep, services and rehearsals to sing. Amidst all of this everyone still had an amazing time. (I hope they did anyway).
I'm sure there will be lots of tears tonight as we finish at Southwark and I'll be pleased to join right it. This has been a life changing experience.
Global Educational Tours has been amazing. Everything has gone according to schedule. A HUGE Thank you to Patrick and Col Shelbourne for ensuring that I could focus on music and that I was confident that my choristers were being taken care of.
St. Peters, your Cathedral choir is coming home to you. They have earned this title. They have been a Cathedral Choir in a Royal Chapel and today, they will be a Cathedral Choir in London England. Be Proud. I am.
From London
Don
Yesterday was a typical cloudy and dizzling day in London with a good stiff breeze. Not deterred everyone got out to see the sites. Tina and I walked from the Hotel to Westminster through Piccadilly across the bridge to Waterloo where we had lunch and then along the Thames past the Royal Festival Hall and the London Eye up to Blackfriars Bridge, to St. Pauls Cathedral and then over to Leister Square where we met Tina's parents for dinner.
Along the way we met several of the choir having a good time. This morning Tina and I are off to the Tower of London and then Tina will carry on with her parents as I come back to the hotel to meet the choir for a 2:30 pm departure to Southwark. We will practice for the last time here in London before adding our music to worship at this wonderful Cathedral.
It's hard to believe that this tour is coming to an end. There has been a lot of tension, a lot of HARD WORK, and one or 2 tears along the way. In a conversation I had with one of the choir members, this person wasn't sure that they could keep up to the challenge and my demands of performance. I reminded this chorister that the reason I am so demanding and have been on this tour is because this choir is capable of performing at a Very High Level and when they don't I get frustrated. It is not about being part of the problem it is about being part of the solution.
The choir of St. Peters Erindale has done themselves exceedlingly proud while abroad. Not only musicially but physically as well. Miles of walking, schedules to keep, services and rehearsals to sing. Amidst all of this everyone still had an amazing time. (I hope they did anyway).
I'm sure there will be lots of tears tonight as we finish at Southwark and I'll be pleased to join right it. This has been a life changing experience.
Global Educational Tours has been amazing. Everything has gone according to schedule. A HUGE Thank you to Patrick and Col Shelbourne for ensuring that I could focus on music and that I was confident that my choristers were being taken care of.
St. Peters, your Cathedral choir is coming home to you. They have earned this title. They have been a Cathedral Choir in a Royal Chapel and today, they will be a Cathedral Choir in London England. Be Proud. I am.
From London
Don
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Tuesday in London
Good Morning from the Imperial Hotel in London.
Yesterday was an incredibly long day for everyone. I was reasonably calm until about 1 pm when we arrived at the castle. The day started very early in Lincoln when we all left by bus (Don, James and Hannah went by car to allow everyone to get a lift on the bus). The days continue to be cloudy but it's warmer here in the south.
It has been next to impossible for me to put into words my emotional and practical thoughts on yesterdays service at Windsor Castle. To stand in a chapel that has served Royalty for centuries and to stand in a place where musician of huge historical significance have stood it truly humbling. To have my name on the weeks music list of composer next to Handel, Bach, Howells is equally humbling. It really hasn't all sunk in yet but it will truly be a memory for a lifetime.
As for the service itself, the choir has hit their stride and it was amazing. Sheena Teague sang the Mendelssohn Hear My Prayer and it was magnificent backed up perfectly by the choir. I know that this moment along with all of the other soloists on this tour will treasure. It will also look really good on their music CV's going forward. All very well deserved.
But is was all over too fast.
We arrived last night and were settled into the hotel by 10:30 pm. It was truly a long 5 days. The choir now celebrates with a VERY WELL DESERVED DAY OFF!
I look forward to the thoughts of the other choristers on this grueling 5 days.
Happy Tuesday.
Don
Yesterday was an incredibly long day for everyone. I was reasonably calm until about 1 pm when we arrived at the castle. The day started very early in Lincoln when we all left by bus (Don, James and Hannah went by car to allow everyone to get a lift on the bus). The days continue to be cloudy but it's warmer here in the south.
It has been next to impossible for me to put into words my emotional and practical thoughts on yesterdays service at Windsor Castle. To stand in a chapel that has served Royalty for centuries and to stand in a place where musician of huge historical significance have stood it truly humbling. To have my name on the weeks music list of composer next to Handel, Bach, Howells is equally humbling. It really hasn't all sunk in yet but it will truly be a memory for a lifetime.
As for the service itself, the choir has hit their stride and it was amazing. Sheena Teague sang the Mendelssohn Hear My Prayer and it was magnificent backed up perfectly by the choir. I know that this moment along with all of the other soloists on this tour will treasure. It will also look really good on their music CV's going forward. All very well deserved.
But is was all over too fast.
We arrived last night and were settled into the hotel by 10:30 pm. It was truly a long 5 days. The choir now celebrates with a VERY WELL DESERVED DAY OFF!
I look forward to the thoughts of the other choristers on this grueling 5 days.
Happy Tuesday.
Don
Monday, August 20, 2007
Monday Morning Week 2
I'm pleased to report that (well I think anyway) everyone survived the last night in Lincoln celebration. James had a great party and this morning we are packing up and will be on the road to Windsor by 8:00 AM.
http://picasaweb.google.com/stpeterschoiruktour/England2007Rehearsals
These are some pictures from our rehearsals at Lincoln Cathedral and in the song school. The Cathedral is over low light so the picture may not be sharp but it give you a good idea as to what it was like.
It was NICE!
Until tonight from London
Don
http://picasaweb.google.com/stpeterschoiruktour/England2007Rehearsals
These are some pictures from our rehearsals at Lincoln Cathedral and in the song school. The Cathedral is over low light so the picture may not be sharp but it give you a good idea as to what it was like.
It was NICE!
Until tonight from London
Don
Sunday, August 19, 2007
And so it is finished....
Chorally speaking today was the best day for the choir. From the opening strains of Communcion at 9:30 through the Howells Coll Reg Te Deum at 11:15 Mattins to evensong tonight at 3:45 The choir was top of their game.
It has taken much longer to get the choir up to speed than I expected. I'm sure it has nothing to do with jet lag and pub visits. Truly, the pressure that I have placed firmly on the shoulders of the choir and the greater pressure that I have put on myself has been immense. Today after a very bad start in rehearsal the choir came out ready to sing and praise God as I know that they can. I'm sure my blood pressure was through the roof this morning and I had to take a break because I really felt that I was going to explode. This evening Roshni and Kevin sang the Stanford in G Major Mag and Nunc beautifully. I should also mention others that have sung this week including Mark Matterson and this morning during the Te Deum, Sheena, Sherri, Ginny, Pat, Barb, Mark, Richard, Neil and Dale did a great job on their bits. Emily sang on Thursday night during the Ireland; Greater Love hath no man. All in All today was emotionally charged, it was the final day at Lincoln and it was by a final last great effort from the masses that the music was as wonderful as it was. One of the local ladies came up to us and asked what Cathedral we were from. Another man pulled me aside and said it had been years since he's heard the words to the psalms. Another person commented that we have been the best visiting choir all summer.
All of these accolades all go to the hard work that this choir has put forward. Everyone was choked up as we packed our stuff and moved out of the choir room and vesty. So the keys to the palace have been returned.
Tomorrow, a new city and a new place of worship: St. George's Chapel Windsor Castle.
I'm sure I won't be up tight at all..............................NOT!
So from Lincoln for the last time...
Don
It has taken much longer to get the choir up to speed than I expected. I'm sure it has nothing to do with jet lag and pub visits. Truly, the pressure that I have placed firmly on the shoulders of the choir and the greater pressure that I have put on myself has been immense. Today after a very bad start in rehearsal the choir came out ready to sing and praise God as I know that they can. I'm sure my blood pressure was through the roof this morning and I had to take a break because I really felt that I was going to explode. This evening Roshni and Kevin sang the Stanford in G Major Mag and Nunc beautifully. I should also mention others that have sung this week including Mark Matterson and this morning during the Te Deum, Sheena, Sherri, Ginny, Pat, Barb, Mark, Richard, Neil and Dale did a great job on their bits. Emily sang on Thursday night during the Ireland; Greater Love hath no man. All in All today was emotionally charged, it was the final day at Lincoln and it was by a final last great effort from the masses that the music was as wonderful as it was. One of the local ladies came up to us and asked what Cathedral we were from. Another man pulled me aside and said it had been years since he's heard the words to the psalms. Another person commented that we have been the best visiting choir all summer.
All of these accolades all go to the hard work that this choir has put forward. Everyone was choked up as we packed our stuff and moved out of the choir room and vesty. So the keys to the palace have been returned.
Tomorrow, a new city and a new place of worship: St. George's Chapel Windsor Castle.
I'm sure I won't be up tight at all..............................NOT!
So from Lincoln for the last time...
Don
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